They drew dramatically with Wednesday on Saturday and “Encouraging signs", “improved performance" etc., were the sort of descriptions applied by the extensive Ipswich media coverage and reflect the hopes of their more optimistic 20,000 success-starved fans. Their recent history also illustrates how a well-supported, well-funded and seemingly well-run club will not succeed simply by providing itself with generous funds. Ipswich also have what Rovers lack; a large committed fan base, just like Norwich, in a county where the roads make travelling 25 miles seem like 50 or more if you were anywhere else. Thereby, a lot of rural support is tied in with enduring memories of the Bobby Robson era.
This is their third season in League 1 and at least the previous 2 have started well, even though they have missed the play-offs twice. So this, after the amicable take-over, is more of a crisis than we have. Huge expenditure and a proven lower league manager has yet to impress an influence on the assembled talent.
They will be nervous, worried at the prospect of Rovers scoring first and of missing goal-scoring opportunities with their fans expectant of victory over “Lowly Donny". On the plus side too, is the fact that I know from my own visits to Portman Road that it is not a really hostile atmosphere; East Anglia from Chelmsford upwards is not like that.
Being 24th creates a latent pressure, but we are accustomed to it now, so perhaps there will be less stress in our camp. But a win is still needed if they are to show that they have the ability to escape from the bottom 4.
I actually believe they will not lose if they continue their slow improvement, but that may be more easily imagined than achieved. But I’ll play relatively safe and just hope they win whilst forecasting 1-1 and Anderson.
DPL v Ipswich Town
posted on 28/9/21
This was a most embarrassing exposition of incompetence. Dahlberg, Anderson and Olowu and Rowe up to a point were the only ones to play like real footballers. So many of the rest were lazy, incompetent and uncommitted and a total reflection of Wellens utter inability to put together a team. They were an insult to the name of Doncaster Rovers, far worse than Butler’s team. It was a shamefully bad performance with most of them giving up as soon as we went behind. They seem naive and inexperienced, they do not run, do not know where to position themselves, can’t cover, can’t tackle, and have an unbelievable lack of ability to control or pass the ball. It was shameful.
The team did not play like a team; they did not look as though they ever practiced together. So many of them looked as though they had no previous experience and no tactical understanding. You could not imagine that they had anyone to train them or manage them in any way. They looked as though they were content to lose.
The more naive of the fans really believed what Wellens was telling them about the potential of this group of players and so many held back criticism - the dreaded curse of the core of the typical fans’ forum, negativity, has to be avoided on pain of abuse from the righteous loyalists. It causes the more objective of us to question our judgment and imagine that talent, promise and potential were there, but that we were incapable of discerning it.
The overwhelming majority of players that Wellens has signed do not seem capable of being of League 1 standard ever.
posted on 29/9/21
Donaldo, I assume you wasted your money and went to the game. You know I've tried not to be as negative as you, but after this performance, I have to say you are right. However, it is difficult to explain the big difference between tonight and last Saturday. I think the big thing tonight you summed up so well:
"The team did not play like a team; they did not look as though they ever practiced together." - and that is on top of the inability to pass the ball.
The "Mea Culpa" interview with Wellens almost seems as though he has given up and wants to be fired, and I felt sorry for Rowe as he is thinking "Why did I come back?"
I agree with you about Olowu and would prefer him to Williams alongside Anderson, although Anderson is not as positive as he usually is.
I must admit is going to be challenging to get up at 06:00 on Saturday.
Just a thought; a few weeks ago the Portland Timbers lost 6-2 at home against arch enemy, Seattle. This was their worst defeat at home, and the first time they had let in 6 goals. Since then: L1 D1 W6, and in the last game won 6-1 against Real Salt Lake who were just one point behind them in the MSL. Maybe I can dream the Rovers could do something similar.
posted on 29/9/21
No Mickey, I saw it on iFollow. Ipswich on a Saturday is OK, but coming back the 70 or so miles late at night is too much.
Even the die-hards seem to have opened their eyes to the reality at last seeing through Wellens evangelistic rhetoric.
posted on 29/9/21
How many more matches should the board give him to turn things around?
posted on 29/9/21
i think its clear to see this lot are not fit to put the shirt on for the most, I dont think i have ever seen such a poor rovers side, they cant even pass to each other, the first touch is just none existent just plain woeful I think they would struggle in the national league tbh completely embarrassing to watch atm.
posted on 29/9/21
Ex-Bournemouth boss and Liverpool coach Sean O'Driscoll quits Portsmouth Academy amid facility and funding criticisms
posted on 29/9/21
Another poor showing on Saturday then surely its all over for Wellens?
posted on 29/9/21
Donaldo - I did not think you could watch iFollow in the UK. They must have kept what they allowed when there were no crowds - or do you use a VPN "locating" you in another country? I used to do that (locating me in the UK) to watch some BBC videos. They got smart and somehow detect when that is happening and shut you off unless you have a UK licence number.
posted on 30/9/21
In the UK you can get video stream on iFollow for midweek Away matches. I think the Papa John ones can been streamed too both H and A, but £10 a time is a lot for such trivial fare.
VPNs are used by some fans I believe; mine came with a bunch of other features in my security package, but it does not work as well as the recommended ones, interferes with email for some reason and I never use it.
Interestingly, some clubs run their own TV streaming service and Harrogate Town are an example of one club who run their own TV service which enables subscribers to view home matches as well as away ones.
posted on 1/10/21
The Portland Timbers won again on Wednesday night - I just hope the Rovers can recover as well as the Timbers!